Text: James 1:2-4
“When You Encounter Various Trials”
- These trials are different than the temptations mentioned later (James 1:13-15)
- James says, “when,” not “if” — this is a certainty
“Consider it All Joy”
- Not a natural reaction — this is why James had to tell them to do this
- Suffering has benefits — endurance (James 1:4), produces an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:16-17), power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
“Testing of Your Faith”
- The faith of the Christian gives him an advantage over the one without faith — both will suffer, but by faith we know we have something to look forward to (Hebrews 11:13-16)
- Testing of our faith can come in various forms — persecution, temptation to sin, common trials
“Produces Endurance”
- Makes us stronger — strength is an essential trait of a Christian (Ephesians 6:10)
- Faith is a life-long commitment (Revelation 2:10; Matthew 24:13) — requires endurance (Hebrews 12:1)
“Let Endurance Have its Perfect Result”
- Faithful obedience — examples of the faithful in Hebrews 11
- Christlikeness (Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:21-24)
- Wisdom (James 1:5)
- Ultimately, heaven (Matthew 24:13)
